2020 Cincinnati Bengals Outlook

Coaching Staff

The Cincinnati Bengals brought in head coach Zac Taylor to hopefully save the sliding franchise in 2019. In his first season, Cincy continued on their downward path with a 2-14 record. Taylor helped Jared Goff make a step forward as the Rams' QB coach in 2018. He has seven seasons of coaching experience in the NFL with his highest-ranking job before last year being the offensive coordinator/QB coach for the Dolphins in 2015.

This year Taylor has a shining new toy at quarterback plus an intriguing upside option at wide receivers. The change of direction of this franchise should move quickly in a positive direction over the next couple of seasons.

Last year Cincinnati finished 26th in the league in offensive yards gained and 30th in points scored (279). They regressed offensively by 89 points from 2018 (368 points scored). The Bengals brought in Brian Callahan to run the offense last season. Over the previous three years, Callahan worked as the quarterback coach from the Raiders and the Lions. He has ten seasons of experience in the NFL at the age of 36.

Lou Anarumo had been a coach in the NFL since 2012 (eight seasons) while working as a defensive back coach every year except a few games as the interim defensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2015. Anarumo spent over 20 years coaching in college, with his highest job coming as the defensive backs coach for Purdue for eight seasons.

In his first year as the defensive coordinator for the Bengals, he fell to 32nd in yards allowed and 25th in points allowed (420). His window will be short if Cincy doesn't show growth on the defensive side of the ball in 2020.

Free Agency

With Cincinnati addressing their shortfalls on offense via the draft, they tried to upgrade their defense through free agency. The top players added in the offseason were DT D.J. Reader, CB Trae Waynes, S Vonn Bell, CB Mackensie Alexander, and LB Josh Burnes.

Reader signed a four-year $54 million deal. His game is best suited as a run clogger up the middle while showing growth in his pass rush.

Despite owning an edge in speed, Waynes has underperformed his 2015 NFL Draft value (11th pick in the first round). In his five years in the league, he held receivers to low yards per catch, but they've caught more of their chances over the past two seasons.

Bell should be an instant upgrade to the Bengals' run defense. He also adds value in the pass rush when given the green light to blitz. Bell does need some improvement in his game in the pass coverage. His best value comes when attacking the middle of the field and moving forward.

Alexander is another Vikings' castoff at cornerback. As a rotational player in 2017 and 2018, he held wide receivers to low yards per catch with minimal damage in touchdowns. Alexander has a second-round pedigree (2016) with minimal experience starting with the Vikings owning two top choices to start in his career in Minnesota.

Byrnes should come off the bench to provide help in the run game.

The Bengals parted ways with T Cordy Glenn, DT Andrew Billings, CB Darqueze Dennard, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, LB Nick Virgil, CB B.W. Webb, and S Clayton Fejedelem.

Cincy moved on from TE Tyler Eifert, who signed with the Jaguars.

Draft

With the first overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals took QB Joe Burrow. He brings a deceiving arm to the table while relying more on touch and feel over the short areas of the field. When asked to fire into tight quarters or add gas to his deep passes, his arm plays up. I get more of a Peyton Manning feel to his throws and reads while having the ability to make running plays off run/pass options.

His pre-snap reads gain an edge while showing the ability to look off the deep safety. If a play breaks down, Burrow keeps his head up with the talent to make big plays on the move.

At the next level, his passing window will shorten, and his desire to float balls into a crowded area will have less chance of success. Burrow seemed to speed up his game as the level of his competition improved. His pocket presence graded well.

The Bengals added WR Tee Higgins with the first pick in round two. He's been a great talent at every level of his career. He glides past defenders with the height (6'4" and 215 lbs.) to win most jump balls against lesser competition. His natural edge at most stops may have restricted some of his development as a route runner.

Cincinnati focused on their defense with three choices (LB Logan Wilson, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, and LB Khalid Kareem.

Wilson looks the part of a three-down player with his wins coming from instincts and sure tackling. His speed isn't elite, so he can show his hands at times, which puts him at risk for backside cuts. Wilson will struggle with power if he gets too deep too early in his plan across the middle of the line.

Davis-Gaiter adds quickness and explosiveness to the Bengals' defense, but he lacks the desired size (6'1" and 225 lbs.) to be a stud at linebacker. His coverage skills show signs of upside, but Davis-Gaiter can get trapped looking in the backfield too long, leading to some missed assignments. He can attack the quarterback on blitz packages with a chance to make plays defending the run.

Kareem has the foundation to be a passing down rusher. His game has all the parts to attack the quarterback except the first step explosion off the snap. He tends to win with power and his feel for the game. Kareem needs to develop his pass-rushing moves, but his game takes a hit when asked to change direction.

Over the final two rounds, Cincy invested G Hakeem Adeniji and LB Markus Bailey.

Adeniji relies on technique for his success, but his movements are slow off the snap and limited in range. A switch to guard may lead to standoff battles in run blocking.

Bailey takes a hit due to a couple of knee injuries. He plays hard with a good feel for play development. His toughness and vision grade well. Bailey lacks impact speed, which puts him out of position at times.

Offensive Line

The Bengals ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing yards (1,517) last season. They gained only 3.9 yards per carry with nine rushing TDs and eight runs over 20 yards. Game score led to only 24.1 rush per game. Cincy finished with 3,994 yards passing (20th) with 18 TDs and 13 Ints. Their offensive line allowed 48 sacks and 84 QB hits. The Bengals did rank sixth in passing attempts (616), which could be a good sign for Joe Burrows passing chances in 2020.

LT Jonah Williams

Williams missed all of 2019 after tearing his labrum in his left shoulder in June, which required surgery. He comes to the NFL with an excellent combination of technique, athletic ability, and work ethic. Williams projects to be a winning run blocker with success in pass protection. He needs to prove his worth defending speed/power rushers on the outside. Overall, Williams is an excellent upgrade to this offensive line while expecting to start at left tackle. Cincy drafted him 11th overall in 2019.

LG Michael Jordan

Jordan made nine starts last year while failing to make an impact in any area. He could develop into a second exciting piece to the Bengals' offensive line. Jordan has the foundation skill set to be a beast in a quick-hitting run game. His first step isn't where it needs to be a move blocker in space. He has experience at both center and guard. His overall development has plenty of room for growth along with the frame to add more bulk. Jordan does need to get stronger to win more battles in the trenches.

C Trey Hopkins

After a semi-starting role over the two previous seasons, Hopkins emerged as the top option at center for Cincinnati in 2019. His game remains a liability in the run blocking while developing into a slight asset in the passing game. The Bengals signed him to a three-year extension in late December.

RG Xavier Su'a-Filo

The Bengals signed Su'a-Filo to a three-year contract in March. His last starting gig came with the Texans in 2016 and 2017. He's been a liability in both run and pass blocking for most of his career. His second-round pedigree (2014) is now a distant memory.

RT Bobby Hart

Cincinnati lacks a top option to start at right tackle. Hart won the job last year for 16 starts, but he continues to allow pressure to the quarterback with no present upside in run blocking. His season ended with an uptick in pass protection.

Offensive Line Outlook

This offensive line has more questions than top players, heading into 2020. The left side of the line has a chance to be above the league average with Williams and Jordan's growth. Unless G Billy Price finds his previous draft form (first round in 2018), the right guard and right tackle positions offer more risk than reward.

QB Joe Burrow, CIN - Sleeper (undervalued)

After struggling to earn a starting job for Ohio State, Burrow made the jump to LSU in 2018. His play that season was below par, which led to a low completion rate (57.8) and only 16 passing TDs over 13 games. He finished with 2,894 yards passing with some value as a runner (128/399/7) while minimizing the damage in his mistakes throwing the ball (five Ints).

His rags to riches story in 2019 ended with a Heisman Trophy and a national title. Last year Burrow lit the college world on fire at the quarterback positions. His completion rate (76.3) was off the charts great, which led to 5,671 passing yards and an astounding 60 passing TDs and only six interceptions. Burrow chipped in 368 yards on the ground on 115 carries (3.2 yards per rush) and five more touchdowns.

The LSU passing game was helped dramatically by the emergence of WR Ja'Marr Chase (84/1780/20) and WR Justin Jefferson (111/1540/18).

Last year the Bengals ranked 19th in passing yards per game (228) with only 18 passing TDs. Burrow has three viable weapons at WR with a talented lead RB. Cincy needs to clean up its offensive line issues (48 sacks in 2019) while adding another receiving option at TE.

I have him hitting the ground running, leading to 4,500-plus combined yards with 26 TDs. Upside talent, but his schedule isn't ideal. He's also already showing good leadership skills.

RB Joe Mixon, CIN - Stud (low risk)

Mixon buried fantasy teams over his first eight games (430 combined yards with three TDs and 19 catches on 120 touches) while averaging only 3.2 yards per rush. Over his final eight games, he averaged 24.1 touches per week, leading to a massive turn around in his year (994 combined yards with five TDs and 16 catches). His big finish moved him to 13th in RB scoring (14.8 FPPG) in PPR leagues. The addition of Joe Burrow at QB invites some intrigue with the Bengals' offense in 2020. Cinci has talent at wide receiver, creating a higher scoring environment. Mixon is in the last year of his contract, which may lead to potential holdout this summer. Top ten RB upside while needing a bump in chances in the passing game to rank even higher.

I have him projected for 1,586 combined yards with ten TDs and 50 catches.

RB Giovani Bernard, TB - Fantasy Handcuff

With Joe Mixon pushing toward a workhorse RB1, Bernard saw his stats come in at a career-low in most categories. He gained only 3.2 yards per rush while averaging 5.2 touches per game. Bernard extended his scoreless streak to 26 games. A veteran back with pass-catching upside, but his only value at the point of his career is a handcuff option to Mixon.

RB Trayveon Williams, CIN - Dynasty Only

Williams lacks NFL size (5'8" and 206 lbs.), but he does run with power with sufficient speed (4.51 40 yards dash). His short-area quickness isn't ideal, but he does run with patience and the ability to make defenders miss. Williams works hard in pass protection with value in the passing game. His one lacking trait is vision in tightly-blocked plays. He didn't have a single touch in his rookie season. Hold and watch in dynasty leagues.

RB Rodney Anderson, --- - Dynasty Only

Anderson could work as the goal-line back. His game hinges on his power with a good feel for open space in tight quarters. Rodney doesn't have a secondary burst while having a history of injuries. More of a "take what's given to me player" than a difference-maker while lacking the foot quickness to change gears in tight quarters. Anderson missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL in his right knee, which also happened in college in 2018. Injury history limits him to a deep dynasty stash.

WR Tee Higgins, CIN - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)

Based on overall gifts, Higgins ranks among the best in the game coming into the NFL in 2020. His success at the next level comes down to how much greatness he wants to achieve, which requires hard work. I'd like to see more fire off his release in press coverage with the desire to win every pass pattern out of the break. Without an improvement in the subtle movements of the game within his pass routes, Higgins won't reach his expected potential (elite WR1).

Over the last two seasons at Clemson, he finished with similar years (59/936/12 and 59/1167/13) while playing for a top college team.

With Cincy lacking a top TE option in the passing game, Higgins has a reasonable chance of being the third-best passing option in his rookie season. I expect over 45 catches for 725-plus yards and five TDs. Right kind of flier as a WR6 in fantasy leagues.